St Kilda don't have a great record on the road, but they took an important step towards restoring balance to that record when the Saints took out a 32-point win over Adelaide on Friday night.The first half was goal for goal, with the momentum of the game fluctuating; but the Saints got on top early in the third quarter to extend their lead to 21 points. But the Crows kept fighting back, cutting the margin to just 5 points at the last change; and early in the last term Kurt Tippett tackled Zac Dawson to earn a free kick in the face of goal to cut the margin to one point.But the Saints stepped up a gear, and the Crows were unable to keep up. A good goal on the run to Adam Scheider extended the Saints' margin, and moments later a mark 45 metres out was converted by Justin Koschitzke to restore the St Kilda lead. There was to be no way back, as the Saints would run through 5 goals to 1 for the quarter to blow the margin out. Justin Koschitzke was also in good form with the boot, kicking 4 goals ahead of Nick Dal Santo.St Kilda 4.2 6.7 10.7 15.11 (101)Adelaide 2.2 5.3 9.8 10.9 (69)Goals : St Kilda - J Koschitzke 4, A Schneider 2, N Riewoldt 2, S King, F Ray, L Montagna, J Geary, S Milne, M Gardiner, B Goddard. Adelaide - J Porplyzia 3, K Tippett 3, T Hentschel, I Maric, B Vince, T Walker.Best : St Kilda - L Montagna, N Dal Santo, J Gram, S Fisher, F Ray, L Ball. Adelaide - N Bock, G Johncock, S Goodwin, T Edwards, I Maric, M Doughty.Injuries : St Kilda - Nil. Adelaide - T Hentschel (quad).Reports - Nil. Umpires - S McBurney, S Wenn, S Ryan.Crowd - 41,189 at AAMI Stadium.

Geelong got the win that was widely predicted when they took on Richmond at Skilled Stadium, but not before they suffered a scare as the Tigers threatened to cause a major boilover.Everything looked to be going to script when the Cats led by 31 points at half time. But the third quarter saw Richmond regroup and come back with a new determination and a new drive to cut the margin. The Tigers were to run in 8 goals to 3 in the quarter, the last coming from a free kick to Tom Hislop moments before the siren that put Richmond in front at the last change.The Cats fans looked on in stunned disbelief as their lead had disappeared, with the Tigers appearing full of run and the prospect of a major upset was in the air. But the break was to end Richmond's momentum, as the Cats steadied in the last term. Steven Johnson scored 3 of his goals in the last quarter, enough for the Cats to regain the lead and take out a hard-fought 20-point win.Geelong 5.3 8.9 11.11 15.15 (105)Richmond 1.1 4.2 12.6 13.7 (85)Goals : Geelong - S Johnson 4, P Chapman 2, T Hawkins 2, C Enright, C Mooney, G Ablett, J Corey, M Rooke, R Gamble, T Varcoe. Richmond - M Morton 2, M Richardson 2, N Brown 2, B Deledio, J Bowden, J Riewoldt, J Schulz, N Foley, S Edwards, T Hislop.Best : Geelong - S Johnson, J Bartel, D Milburn, J Corey, C Ling, J Selwood. Richmond - N Brown, M Richardson, B Deledio, J Bowden, D Jackson, C Newman.Injuries : Geelong - B Ottens (knee). Richmond - Nil.Reports - Nil. Umpires - M Stevic, M Nicholls, D Sully.Crowd - 22,288 at Skilled Stadium.

Collingwood didn't have things their own way early in their clash with Melbourne, with the struggling Demons holding a 13-point lead at quarter time, but the Magpies gradually asserted themselves and kicked away in the second half to take out a 53-point win.Ticking into time on in the second quarter, Melbourne were leading by 12 points; but suddenly the Magpies sparked into action. A double by Alan Didak levelled the scores; and from the centre break Paul Medhurst marked and goaled to put the Magpies in front. And when Collingwood kicked the first 3 goals of the second half, the momentum had swung their way and there was to be no way back into the contest for the Demons. The Magpies went on to kick 9 goals to 3 for the half to blow the margin out to 53 points and give some indications their fortunes may be on the improve after their shock first-up loss and sluggish start in this match.Collingwood 3.1 8.3 14.7 17.15 (117)Melbourne 5.2 7.2 9.4 10.4 (64)Goals : Collingwood - J Anthony 4, A Didak 3, T Clock 2, T Lockyer 2, D Beams, D Swan, J Fraser, L Davis, N Brown, P Medhurst. Melbourne - B Green 3, B McLean, B Miller, C Bruce, C Morton, M Bate, P Johnson, R Petterd.Best : Collingwood - A Didak, D Swan, J Fraser, T Lockyer, B Johnson, L Davis. Melbourne - C Bruce, A Davey, B Green, C Morton, B Miller, B Moloney.Injuries : Collingwood - D Thomas (virus) replaced in selected side by D Beams. Melbourne - Nil.Reports : Collingwood - H Shaw for rough conduct on J Rivers in the third quarter.Umpires - C Donlon, S McLaren, H Ryan.Crowd - 43,176 at MCG.

Carlton looked to have their match against Brisbane wrapped up when an 8 goals to 1 second quarter gave the Blues a 41-point lead at the long break. But the Blues would have to hold firm against a spirited Brisbane comeback during the second half that, during the final term, saw the margin reduced to just 12 points.It was goal for goal in the opening term, but Carlton's second quarter burst would ultimately prove decisive. Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd and Marc Murphy had the better of the midfield all day; while Brendan Fevola was proving a handy target up forward on his way to 5 goals.But after the long break, Brisbane came fighting back. Daniel Bradshaw had limited opportunities but landed 6 goals, while Luke Power and young gun draftee Daniel Rich were also in good form. The margin had been cut to 18 by the last change, and the Lions kept coming with early goals in the last quarter to twice reduce the margin to 12 points. But the Blues had the answers, holding on grimly and with some all-important last quarter goals to Fevola did enough to fall over the line.Carlton 3.2 11.5 13.8 18.11 (119)Brisbane 3.3 4.6 10.8 15.10 (100)Goals : Carlton - B Fevola 5, E Betts 3, M Murphy 3, B Gibbs 2, C Cloke 2, C Judd, R Hadley, R Houlihan. Brisbane - D Bradshaw 6, J Brown 3, J Sherman 2, R Hooper 2, A McGrath, T Johnstone.Best : Carlton - B Gibbs, R Hadley, J Waite, C Judd, M Murphy, J Russell. Brisbane - D Bradshaw, J Drummond, L Power, D Rich, J Brown, S Black.Injuries : Carlton - M Jamison (shoulder). Brisbane - Nil.Reports : Brisbane - J Brown for rough conduct on M Murphy in the fourth quarter.Umpires - T Keating, R Chamberlain, B Rosebury.Crowd - 42,496 at Docklands.

Essendon and Fremantle were both beaten in their opening round games, so both were keen to kick start their season when they clashed at Docklands in the early Sunday game. And it was the Bombers who got off to the better start, and went on to take the points with a 38-point win.Apart from Dustin Fletcher, who did a great job on Matthew Pavlich, it wasn't the experienced hands who did the damage for the Bombers. Matthew Lloyd failed to trouble the scorers, while Scott Lucas only scored one goal; and neither had any significant effect on the result. Instead it was the youngsters who stepped up, with Jason Winderlich, Heath Hocking and David Zaharakis enhancing their reputations with some scintillating football. The Bombers spread the goalscoring around, with 12 of them getting on the board; Adam McPhee being top scorer with 3. It was a disappointing day for Fremantle, who never looked in the contest and put up minimal resistance.Essendon 5.2 9.5 14.7 16.13 (109)Fremantle 1.4 6.6 10.8 10.11 (71)Goals : Essendon - A McPhee 3, J Winderlich 2, P Ryder 2, A Davey, A Lovett, C Dempsey, D Hille, H Hocking, H Skipworth, H Slattery, S Lucas, T Pears. Fremantle - B Peake 2, M Pavlich 2, R Palmer 2, B Schammer, D Mundy, D Solomon, S Dodd.Best : Essendon - D Fletcher, J Winderlich, H Hocking, D Zaharakis, D Daniher, A McPhee. Fremantle - R Palmer, D Mundy, A Sandilands, P Duffield, M Pavlich, B Schammer.Injuries : Essendon - Nil. Fremantle - B Schammer (broken nose).Reports - Nil. Umpires - H Kennedy, S Stewart, M Avon.Crowd - 27,461 at Docklands.

The Western Bulldogs overcame some early inaccuracy, and held on for dear life against a fast-finishing Kangaroos lineup to record a hard-fought 15 point win and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.It was Emergency Services Appreciation Day, with tributes paid to those who worked so hard during the recent Victorian bushfires. Video messages were played on the scoreboard before the game and during the breaks, while the teams gathered in the centre for the national anthem and a rendition of "I Am Australian" before the game.Once the match started, it was the Bulldogs who came out in better form. They led at every change, and should have led by more but for some inaccuracy and some poor finishing in front of goal, which kept the Kangaroos in the contest. Late in the third term the Bulldogs had got to a 28-point lead; but North came storming back, and as the clock ticked into time-on the margin was cut to just 2 points. But in a thrilling finish, the Bulldogs steadied, late goals to Josh Hill and Lindsay Gilbee sealing the result.Western Bulldogs 3.6 4.10 8.13 11.14 (80)North Melbourne 1.5 3.6 7.8 9.11 (65)Goals : Bulldogs - B Johnson 3, J Hill 3, D Addison, D Giansiracusa, L Gilbee, R Griffen, W Minson. North Melbourne - M Campbell 2, A Simpson, A Swallow, D Hale, D Wells, E Lower, H McIntosh, L Thomas.Best : Bulldogs - B Lake, B Johnson, M Boyd, D Cross, R Griffen, R Hargrave. North Melbourne - L Harding, S McMahon, A Simpson, D Pratt, D Petrie, B Rawlings.Injuries : Bulldogs - Nil. North Melbourne - Nil.Reports - Nil. Umpires - S Meredith, S Grun, S McInerney. Crowd - 34,466 at MCG.

West Coast in these early rounds are making a statement that they won't be the pushovers that many were predicting them to be this season. After giving Brisbane a fright at the Gabba in the opening round, the Eagles took on Port Adelaide in their first home game; and with a comprehensive 50-point win made the first step towards rebuilding the fortress at Subiaco.From Ashley Hansen's goal in the opening minute, the Eagles held the ascendancy. Extending their lead in every quarter, the Power were denied any opportunity to build momentum or to work their way back into the contest. Instead it was a midfield led magnificently by Daniel Kerr and Adam Selwood who were the dominant forces in the game, as well as big Dean Cox who dominated the ruck. Kerr kicked 4 and Mark LeCras 3 for the Eagles, while Daniel Motlop kicked 4 in a lone hand up forward for Port.West Coast 4.3 10.6 16.8 19.11 (125)Port Adelaide 1.6 4.9 8.12 10.15 (75)Goals : West Coast - D Kerr 4, M LeCras 3, D Cox 2, Q Lynch 2, A Embley, A Hansen, A Selwood, B Ebert, C Masten, M Priddis, S Hurn, T Stenglein. Port Adelaide - D Motlop 4, J Westhoff 2, D Cassisi, P Burgoyne, R Gray, S Salopek.Best : West Coast - A Selwood, D Cox, M Priddis, D Kerr, C Masten, M Rosa. Port Adelaide - S Burgoyne, K Cornes, S Salopek, C Cornes, P Burgoyne, T Boak.Injuries : West Coast - D Wirrpanda (hamstring) replaced in selected side by R Davis. Port Adelaide - J Westhoff (foot).Reports : Port Adelaide - D Motlop for striking A Hunter in the third quarter.Umpires - J Schmitt, C Kamolins, D Margetts.Crowd - 37,826 at Subiaco Oval.